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Aplauda - Marteé Saldaña Pierson ¡Aplauda Hampton Roads! by Idalia Rosa-Martinez “The Liberty Tax Services Hispanic Initiative is not a marketing program. We don’t want to just sell commercials to Hispanics.” Marteé Saldaña Pierson said. “Liberty Tax is going to offer services that are helpful and done well and a lot of it for free!” Pierson, Director of Diversity Marketing explains that the Liberty Tax Services Hispanic Initiative called, ‘Una Familia sin fronteras’ (One Family without Borders), will educate and provide jobs. Her average 65-hour workweek won’t stop until she brings this “chore of love” to reality. The woman promoting opportunity for Hispanics across the nation stopped her on-the-go schedule to speak to ¡Aplauda! from her Virginia Beach home office. Hampton Roads neighborhood you live in now. How long? I came to the Virginia Beach area a year ago to get this Liberty Tax Service Hispanic Initiative rolling. Current Profession? I am a Director of Diversity Marketing. My job is to make Franchisee’s (with Corporate support) understand the need to get involved with the Hispanic community to make the Initiative work. We must talk to the every day needs of the people. For example, we’re holding “Fiestas” information gatherings in six major states, including Virginia. We partner with local non-profit services of nutrition, medical, and education to offer the events to Latinos. The events offer Hispanics, including the undocumented, the opportunity to hear about our services and the correct eligibility and process of paying taxes and getting Tax ID’s. We want to stop people from being abused by fraudulent tax services and bad information that cause unnecessary legal problems. The Tax ID number is important and allows other eligibilities in the USA for housing, bank accounts, and more. We’re offering this information through local radio in the six states too. Personal role model that influenced your life? Why? My parents. They taught me the importance of education and how through education, I would be able to make a difference. They taught me the value of community service and the opportunity to help those who might not realize they have “options”. Being proud of our Latino identity was something my parents modeled too. In Texas we were the only family roasting a pig in the backyard at Christmas time. We did things like in Puerto Rico along with getting an education and learning American customs. We didn’t leave our Latinidad behind and no one should be asked to do that. I love my pasteles and mofongo. How do you see yourself giving back to the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads? Through Liberty Tax Service, I have been able to provide many local Hispanics with employment and educational opportunities. Many on my staff are using their skills to build websites, interpret, teach, and inform the community on the Hispanic Initiative. We partnered with the University of Phoenix to provide our Hispanic staff members with University Credits for the numerous FREE training sessions we provide, which includes a professional level Spanish/English Interpreter’s Course. How well do you think the United States in general, but Hampton Roads in particular, have done in creating opportunities and accommodating Spanish-speaking people? I think the U.S. and the Hampton Roads area have a long way to go to fully accommodating Spanish-speaking people. While I agree that it is important for them to learn English, I think it is equally important that Latinos not lose their “Latinidad” by assimilating instead of acculturating into the U.S. culture. Likewise, I believe that the U.S. and the Hampton Roads would be even more so enriched were they to expand the language programs to include the cultural information so that non-Hispanics, and Latino children alike, can better understand the rich Latino culture. What influence do you think the Hispanic population has had on the Hampton Roads community? The number of Latino-based stores has increased and there is more of a variety of cultural events happening in the area. There are also fundamental businesses such as Dominican-run hair salons and other “base” businesses that support the multicultural Hispanic community and can serve as gathering spot to mix with people from “home”. The schools seem to be concentrating on bi-lingual education as well, albeit, a more in-depth approach would be advisable. Of what life achievements are you most proud? I am proud of my education because it has allowed me to be of service to my community. Words of wisdom for the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads Stay in school so you can have options in our life! When you see local offices of Liberty Tax Services remember Martee Saldaña Pierson working many midnight hours to provide Hispanics genuine opportunities for personal growth in Hampton Roads. For more information see libertytaxespañol.com . ¡Aplauda! IRM |
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